Easter Sunrise Service

Join Arlington National Cemetery and Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall for the annual National Military Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, March 31, 6:30-7:30 a.m.

Published on: Monday, March 4, 2024 read more ...

Easter Sunrise Service, April 17

3/31/2022

News Release from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall

The annual Easter Sunrise Service held at Arlington National Cemetery’s Memorial Amphitheater will once again be held in person Sunday, April 17, hosted by Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Commander Col. David D. Bowling.

Due to the pandemic, the service was held virtually the past two years and will be live-streamed this year as well via Facebook at www.facebook.com/jbmhh/.

The Easter Sunrise Service is a non-denominational worship service and begins with a prelude by the U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own,” at 6:15 a.m. The call to worship begins at 6:30 a.m. by Chaplain (Col.) James Foster, Command Chaplain for the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region and Military District of Washington. The Easter message will be delivered by Rear Adm. Terry W. Eddinger, Deputy Chief of Chaplains for Reserve Matters.

Foster sends a reminder of the heart of the Easter message this year. “Easter is a special time for so many of the Christian faith. Our religious support teams in the National Capital Region want to make sure you are invited to this special occasion that brings us back together, celebrating the resurrection of Christ in this hallowed ground of Arlington National Cemetery,” said Foster. “Be here with us as the sun rises and spirits of new hope are lifted.”

Amphitheater seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. In case of inclement weather, the in-person service will be cancelled and the event will be live-streamed from the joint base’s Memorial Chapel located on the Fort Myer side of the base in Arlington, Va.

There are two ways to access Arlington National Cemetery April 17 for the service. The cemetery gates open at 5 a.m.

General Public (Guests without a Department of Defense ID) 

Enter Arlington National Cemetery via Memorial Avenue and park at the cemetery’s parking garage, where parking is free from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Easter Sunday (the fee for parking begins at 9 a.m.). There is no walking to the amphitheater from the parking lot; a free shuttle service will transport all guests from the Arlington National Cemetery Welcome Center. 

DoD ID Card Holders Only

Enter Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall via the main gate, Hatfield Gate, and park in the Tri-Services parking lot (the large lot closest to the Old Post Chapel). A free shuttle will transport guests to the amphitheater. DoD ID Card Holders also have the option of walking into the cemetery from Selfridge Gate. Park in the parking lot across from the Spates Community Club; Selfridge Gate is located directly across from the club. 

DoD ID Card Holders are advised that the Trusted Traveler program at JBM-HH is no longer in effect, and all passengers 18 years of age and older in a vehicle must have a DoD ID or a day pass to enter the base. Please request day passes in advance at pass.aie.army.mil/JBMHH/. If approved, applicants will receive an email with their pass to present to the gate guard with their legal ID. 

Following the service, shuttles will transport guests back to the parking lots. Guests will also have the option of walking back to their parked vehicles. 

Please note that backpacks will not be allowed in the cemetery for the service, and no pets, except for certified service animals. Blankets, seat cushions, baby strollers and water in clear, plastic bottles are allowed. 

For those who choose to view the service online, please access the JBM-HH Facebook page at  at 6:30 a.m. EDT Sunday, April 17, to view the live feed. You do not need a Facebook account to view the service. For more information, please contact 703-696-7668 or visit the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall’s Facebook page at for the most-up-to-date information.